We Tested Over 35 Body Moisturizers: These 10 Made Our Skin Softer and Healthier Than All the Rest

Fragrance-free Cetaphil lotion is gentle enough to use on baby’s skin, as well as those with compromised skin barriers, such as people with psoriasis, according to dermatologists we’ve spoken to. It contains glycerin, niacinamide, panthenol, vitamin E, and avocado oil to nourish skin and repair its barrier to retain moisture. Cetaphil doesn’t clog pores and is even lightweight enough to use on the face.

Maybe it’s not the fanciest brand, but it is reliable: It’s been around for 75 years, and you can find it in just about every drugstore. That, plus its low price point, means you’re more likely to buy it and use it frequently — and consistency might be more valuable than any luxury ingredient you’d find in a spa brand.

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Daily Repair Moisturizing Lotion is an affordable pump that’s lightweight, fast-absorbing, and long-lasting. The hygienic pump lets you dispense just the right amount of product, preventing waste. It's also a good option for people with sensitive skin, and it's approved by the National Eczema Association.

“There is a lot of value in this product, especially if you have sensitive skin,” says editor Ashley Ziegler. She goes on to say that “it's one of the few brands I trust on my daughter's skin.” Ziegler has dry skin, and her daughter has eczema. She appreciates how quickly this product is absorbed. That makes it ideal for applying after showering, before getting dressed on rushed mornings, and on nights when you want to crawl into bed.

La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream provides exceptional value. Using a small amount of its concentrated, active ingredients goes a long way. Editor Lili Ladaga, who has dry, sensitive skin, particularly enjoyed this product.

La Roche-Posay’s website states that the cream is “suitable for patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation,” as well as for babies as young as two weeks. It has the National Eczema Association's Seal of Acceptance, indicating that it’s safe for people with eczema. These attributes impressed Ladaga, who says that the product absorbs well and gets rid of that “tight feeling” post-shower, leaving her skin feeling soft and “super-moisturized.”

eos Shea Better 24H Moisture Body Lotion has a lightweight feel due to a blend of ingredients that absorb quickly. Ziegler, who also tested this lotion, had a great experience. “It goes on smoothly without much effort and absorbs in under a minute,” she says. As for results, she found that this lotion, with its airy texture, hydrated her legs, which tend to dry out, especially around her knees. A formula of shea butter and shea oil alongside glycerin and vitamin E helps to nourish dry skin and keep it soft. “It offers ample moisture that lasts throughout the day,” Ziegler says.

If you’re looking for a lotion with added fragrance, this one is ideal. Ziegler selected “pink champagne,” and she calls the scent “sweet and fresh.” The brand has tons of scent options, though, so there's something for everyone. (But those with sensitive skin may want to use caution when choosing a scented product.) The fragrance didn’t cause any irritation for Ziegler. And while she notes that it doesn’t quite deliver on its 24-hour promise, she still describes the lightweight formula as long-lasting.

I tested this lotion during the weeks after summer vacation. I loved how easily it spread over my legs, which were scaly and patchy from getting lots of sun. My elbows, which can be bumpy and flaky, have also gotten relief in the weeks I’ve been using it.

I don’t usually like fragrance in body lotion, so I loved this fragrance-free formula. It absorbed quickly without leaving a sticky or tacky residue, which pleasantly surprised me — especially since I’ve found some Eucerin products in the past to be medicinal-smelling and sticky. I would definitely reorder this lotion, especially given its affordable price.

Glinkski says that it absorbed well. Even though the thick cream “felt very greasy upon application,” it absorbed in under five minutes. The results left her with smooth, soft skin that was less inflamed. 

“I used it on the scar on my knee that I've had since I was a kid,” Chan says. Within two days, she noticed an improvement in the texture of her skin on her knees. She'll continue to use the product with the hope that it will diminish her scar even more dramatically.

Chan also says that this oil takes a bit longer to absorb than other creams and lotions on our list. While most products we tested absorb within minutes, this one took a few hours; then again, it’s a thicker oil, so that’s par for the course. Chan also says the product has a relaxing, botanical scent from the chamomile, lavender, rosemary, and calendula.

As for the results, Marschall saw an improvement in the texture of her feet and heels. But she says that the heavy, thick texture took “some effort to spread out” and — as expected for a semi-occlusive with petrolatum — left residue behind. 

Alpha Skin Care Renewal Body Lotion’s exfoliating power comes from a high concentration of 12-percent glycolic acid, a potent alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). This ingredient works to chemically exfoliate the top layer of dead skin cells, all without manual or physical exfoliation.

Editor Katie Tuttle, who has normal skin with slight keratosis pilaris (KP) on her elbows, says she felt using it revealed smoother, brighter skin underneath. “It helps to improve skin texture, making my skin feel smooth and almost as if the exfoliant allowed the moisturizer to better penetrate my skin.” She was pleasantly surprised that a moisturizer containing a chemical exfoliant still did an “excellent job” at hydrating her skin. She found it easy to put on, noting that the lotion spread and absorbed well.

As for the results, her skin felt “very smooth,” and the KP on her arms disappeared after using this product consistently at night for two weeks. If you’re looking to smooth out texture and even out scaliness, this is an ideal pick.

Buttah Scented Whipped Body Butter is ideal for dry skin due to its thick, creamy consistency. Writer Maria Cristina Lalonde says this body butter leaves her skin “feeling silky smooth instead of ashy and dry.” With unrefined shea butter from Ghana and a petroleum-free formula, it’s designed to calm and care for your skin, especially when your skin is at its driest.

Although the whipped butter is thick and “chunky, almost like a seed butter,” Lalonde says this product absorbs within minutes, leaving little to no residue behind. She says that although “it's marketed as being for melanin-rich skin, all skin tones could benefit.” She's also a fan of the fragrance: “I am obsessed with the scent! It's yummy — I mean it, I almost want to eat this moisturizer — without being overpowering. I always find myself smelling my hands after applying and getting a little mood boost.”